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Jeff Sandefur

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Union Station owner Jeff Sandefur said he'll open up designated areas of Union Station for an open house if people would like to see another piece of railroad history.He said at least 300 people showed up the last time the Challenger rolled through town, even though it was a "cold, nasty day."

"We're real excited," Sandefur said about having another visit.

The Challenger has been in Houston participating in charitable events for the George Bush Presidential Library, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Points of Light Foundation.

In Texarkana, the locomotive will steam through downtown, prompting Union Station owner Jeff Sandefur to say he'll open the observation deck and back platform (accessible through the main terminal) for anyone interested in getting a closer view of this link to railroad history.

Union Station's new owner, Jeff Sandefur, has a vision for the once-proud center of T-Town as a vital part of Texarkana's future.

Though the 44,000-square-foot structure was bought just three weeks ago, Sandefur is already humming with ideas for this link to Texarkana's roots as a railroad town.

He sees it as a venue ripe for multi-use entertainment options.

Inspired by an urban planning group's recommendation to Texarkana Education Culture and Arts Partners, he thinks Union Station could help revitalize downtown by providing a market area, as well.

"From all the abundant opportunities to invest in our community, this one was too worthy to pass up," said Sandefur, who bought the property for an undisclosed amount from Dr. Dan Bookout.

...

Sandefur's philosophy is to follow the TECAP plan for "reinventing downtown" but to adapt it for community needs.

He sees adaptive reuse as one of the ways to reinvent downtown, taking historical structures and spaces and reshaping them for the future.

"The perception for a few is that downtown is not progressing at all, never has, never will," said Sandefur."I see it differently."

To highlight Union Station's multi-use capability, Sandefur points out how the facility includes a restaurant, ladies retiring room, cafe, the terminal, the West Hall, office space, a warehouse and dock, a shop, and the Amtrak facilities.

Sandefur says the building is in good shape with the plumbing and most of the lighting in working order.

"All it needs is good cleaning and good tenants," said Sandefur, noting the upstairs includes 8,000 square feet of unfinished office space.

Right now, Sandefur is having due diligence performed to "determine the highest and best use for the building," he said.

The plan, ultimately, is to "implement the most appropriate approach to restoring Union Station into a prominent community asset."

With Renaissance revival architecture and a facade similar to the downtown Post Office, Union Station should join other significant destinations downtown such as the Perot Theatre, Ace of Clubs House, and Regional Arts Center, said Sandefur.

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But as a real estate developer, Sandefur sees the downtown purchase as one that's stable.As he puts it, downtown will always be here.

"Like every other building downtown, it's a bargain," said Sandefur.Investing in it is also one facet of the recent actions "percolating" in economic development across the Twin Cities, he said.

"But keep in mind downtown is just one tool in our community chest to attract new business and industry.As we market Texarkana, USA, as the place where business is twice as nice, we must continue to implement a balanced and comprehensive approach ... " said Sandefur.

To him, other ways to foster economic development include leadership development, investment in infrastructure, educational opportunity and expanding small business.

But to revitalize Union Station is to revive something essential to Texarkana's history.

"Historically, Union Station was the cornerstone of our community's economic prosperity-if not the cornerstone for the region's prosperity," said Sandefur.

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